OK I had the Winchester classic lt sporter (24" barrel, Rimrock stock, Warne rings, 3.5-10x40 Leupold) weighed today. To my disappiontment it weighted 8 lbs 13oz. Which after caring around my 300 H&H all season it don't seem that bad.

Also I looked at the Bansner web page again and the model 70 stock doesn't have a cheekpiece. The rifle I build has got to have a cheekpiece, so I guess I'm back to using a Rimrock.

The question, how do I lighten this thing up?

I think I can save 1.5oz by using a 2.5-8x36 Leupold scope, I've had my eye on one for some time.

The Talley Light Weight One-Piece Aluminum Scope Mounts will save 2oz, I hope. But thats only 3.5oz, a good start, but I'd like to lose 6 to 10 more.

How about the barrel? Given that I want a 24" stainless barrel. What contour would you recommend? I'm hoping I could go one contour lighter than the winchester lt sporter barrel and still be stiff enough for a 24" barrel. Would a Pac-Nor number 3 work? Anybody know what contour the lt sporter barrel is?
I noticed a lot of you are using the Pac-Nor, I'm guessing its a good barrel.

The other thoughts I had, to save weight. Couldn't I skeletonize the magazine box, the trigger guard and drill a hole in the bottom of the bolt handle?

Whats your thoughts?

6.5, my .280 is on a M70 w/ a thin wood stock, steel but plate 23" PacNor lt.wt. bbl. With SSk bases & rings & a Leupold 3-9comp. swivels & nylon sling, it comes in just @ 7 1/4#. It is quite a shooter even w/ the lt.wt. bbl. If you use a M700 action, you can probably get down to 7#. If you go w/ @ #3, have it fluted to drop a bit of weight. you could also swiss cheese the mag box & hollow the bolt, etc. but your real weight savings is in the bbl. & scope. I think my
scope & mounts weigh less than a VXIII in 2.5x8 (my favorite scope). look for a compact scope to save you 5-7oz. There are also lighter syn. stocks out there.

[ 04-15-2003, 22:56: Message edited by: fredj338 ]

Probably NOT an option but...... IMHO one of THE biggest bargains in a Lt Wt rifle are the Wby Ultra Lt Wt's. I traded into one a few years ago in .280 Rem. Very accurate and with a 2.5-8X Leupold, ammo and a light nylon sling it weighs right at 7 pounds. Plenty light enough.

I'm used to carrying a Hart barreled Sako in .300 H&H which with sling and ammo is right at 9 pounds.

I used to elk hunt with my .375 H&H M70, which is 10 1/2 pounds.

So even NOT being a Wby fan the little ULW is VERY handy to tote up and down the hills. The accuracy is just a bonus.

PS....... I get a huge kick out of Fred and his "Oh just a thin stocked .280, nothing special." !!!! I've seen his .280 and its one of THE nicest customs going! And he HUNTS with it!! He needs to post a shot of that "old beater" so everyone can drool.

FN in MT

[ 04-18-2003, 07:37: Message edited by: Frank Nowakowski ]

Hey Frank, it's a "mountain" rifle. If I didn't hunt w/ it, it would be an "ultralight weight bench rifle".
If I could every figure out how to post a pic, I would.

Mark.
I am curious what your stock wieghs. I suspect you could save quite a bit here. I don't have a Rimrock but have several others in which wieght varies considerably. I would advise you not to go too light here,(there are 10 oz. stock around)
as the balance of the gun can go for a crap.

Jamie